UP budget aimed at holistic development of every section: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said that the budget for 2018-19 presented by his government is "development-oriented" and aimed at the holistic development of every section of the society.
State Finance Minister Rajesh Agarwal earlier today presented a Rs 4,28,384.52-crore budget for Uttar Pradesh, which is 11.4 per cent higher than the last fiscal.
"This is a vikaas parak (development-oriented) budget, which has been prepared keeping in mind the interest of every section of society - farmers, women and youth, and for holistic development of the state," Adityanath told reporters.
He said one of the strong features of the budget is its financial discipline. He said he is confident that UP would become a prosperous state and the enthusiasm shown by industrialists for the Investors Summit next week will make it possible.

Asked about job creation, Adityanath said a special provision of Rs 250 crore has been made for start-ups and 'One District, One Product' scheme.
The government is coming up with vacancies - 1.37 lakh for teachers, 1.62 lakh in police department and openings in Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission and Uttar Pradesh Staff Service Selection Commission, he added.

"The Investors Summit and ODOP will help in creation of jobs for more than 20 lakh youths in three years," he said.
The chief minister said the modernisation of madrassas is a big scheme. "There is no shortage of funds, and funds have been increased under each head, including for scholarships."

He said industrial clusters will come up on expressways.
Budgetary provisions have been made for Poorvanchal expressway and Bundelkhand expressway, which has been identified as a defence corridor.
Asked whether boosting the number of tourists visiting the Taj Mahal was a priority in the new tourism policy, he said: "Every type of tourism is mentioned (in the policy). There is spiritual tourism, heritage tourism and eco-tourism. The Taj Mahal comes under heritage tourism. You be assured."
Asked about the BJP's poll promise to give free laptops to students, Adityanath said: "We are going to give good education to students."
Replying to a question on the modernisation of the state police, he said INSAS rifles were being provided to them.

"The police department is being armed with modern weapons. Nearly 54 companies of PAC will be re-established. A State Disaster Relief Force has been constituted," he said, adding that an additional provision of Rs 1,500 crore has been made for modernising the police force.